Safety lighter

ABSTRACT

In a standard lighter, the flame is obtained by rotating the driving wheels of the striker wheel onto the spark stone. A pair of brake discs is mounted on the axis of the wheel assembly. Each of the brake discs has the same diameter as that of driving wheels. The brake discs can rotate freely, relative to the driving wheels. The axis is loosely mounted on the mounting slots, and can move vertically. The gas release lever has a pair of extension portions placed beneath the brake discs to interrupt or stop rotation of the brake discs. To rotate the driving wheels, a considerable amount of extra force is required to overcome the frictional force on the brake discs, and would reduce the risk of fire damage caused by a child&#39;s inadvertent activation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cigarette lighter-more particularly a safety cigarette lighter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A cigarette lighter, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a gas container 100′ topped by a carriage 200′, an outlet valve 400′, a pressing lever 500′ for gas release, a wheel assembly with an axis 320′. The axis 320′ holds striker wheel 310′, which is in contact with a spring 610′-supported spark flint 600′. The striker wheel 310′ is fixedly disposed between two driving wheels 300′, each having a diameter larger than that of striker wheel 310′. A supporting frame 210′ and 220′ with a pair of mounting slots is attached upwardly to said carriage 200′, which pivotally receive axis 320′ of the wheel assembly.

[0003] When the user's thumb pushes down and rotate driving wheels 300′, the wheels 300′ rotate and cause the striker wheel 310′ to drive onto spark flint 600′, producing a spark. At the same time, pressing lever 500′ will be pressed down, lifting outlet valve 400′ to release the gas that inflames the spark.

[0004] Although this type of lighter conveniently lights cigarettes, misuse by children may lead to fires and burn injuries. The object of the present invention is to prevent the cigarette lighter from being actuated inadvertently by making it difficult to use for young children, reducing the risk of fire damage and burn injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A safety lighter including a gas container with a carriage on its topside, an outlet valve, a pressing lever for gas release, and a wheel assembly that contains an axis to hold a striker wheel. The striker wheel is connected to a spark flint by a compression spring, and is fixedly disposed between two driving wheels, each with a diameter larger than that of the striker wheel. A supporting frame with a pair of mounting slots is attached upwardly to the carriage. A pair of brake discs is mounted on the axis between the insides of the supporting frames and the outsides of the driving wheels. The axis is loosely mounted on the mounting slots of the supporting frame so that it can move pivotally and vertically. A pair of brake devices is placed beneath the brake discs to interrupt or stop rotation of the brake discs when they contact each other.

[0006] Each of the brake discs has the same diameter as that of the driving wheels. The brake discs can rotate freely, relative to the driving wheels. Each of the brake discs has a smooth rim surface.

[0007] Said mounting slots of the supporting frame have a first position and a second position.

[0008] Said brake device is an extension portion of the pressing lever. They are placed beneath the brake discs. When the brake discs are pressed down by the user's thumb, they contact the brake device, interrupting or stopping the rotation of the brake discs.

[0009] To actuate the lighter, the user presses and rotates both the driving wheels and the brake discs. This causes the axis to move to the second position of the mounting slots, and the brake discs to contact the brake devices that interrupt or stop the rotation of the brake discs. A considerable amount of extra force by the user is required to rotate the driving wheels enough to overcome the friction force of the brake discs while interrupting or stopping the rotation system.

[0010] Children will find it difficult to rotate the driving wheels. Therefore, such a lighter would greatly reduce fire damage or burn injuries caused by the inadvertent activation of children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a solid view of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 3;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing operation state of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a side view showing the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a scheme showing the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In reference to FIGS. 1-3, a safety lighter provided by the present invention comprising a gas container 100 topped by a carriage 200, an outlet valve 400, a pressing lever 500 for gas release, a wheel assembly containing an axis 320 and a striker wheel 310 which is in contact with a spring 610 supported spark flint 600, a supporting frame 210 and 220 with a pair of mounting slots 212 and 222 attached upwardly to the carriage and a pair of brake discs 700. The striker wheel 310 is fixedly disposed between the two driving wheels 300 each has a diameter larger than that of the striker wheel 310. The pair of brake discs 700 are mounted on the axis 320 between the insides of supporting frames 210 and 220 and the outsides of driving wheels 300. Axis 320 is loosely mounted on mounting slots 212 and 222 of supporting frame 210 and 220 and is allowed to move pivotally and vertically.

[0019] Said pressing lever 500 has a pair of extension portions 510 located beneath brake discs 700 to interrupt or stop rotation of said brake discs 700 when the brake discs contact the brake devices 510.

[0020] Each of said brake discs 700 has the same diameter as that of the driving wheels 300. The brake discs 700 have a smooth rim surface, and they 700 may rotate freely relative to the driving wheels 300.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, when the user's thumb presses and rotates the driving wheels 300 and brake discs 700; axis 320 is moved from its first to its second position of mounting slots 212 and 222. This causes the brake discs 700 to contact the extension portions 510 of the pressing lever 500, interrupting or stopping the rotation of the brake discs 700. To continue the rotation of the driving wheels 300, the thumb must exert an additional amount of force to overcome the friction force of brake discs 700.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the second embodiment of the present invention also has a pair of brake discs 700 with smooth rim surfaces, each with the same diameter as that of the driving wheels 300. The brake discs 700 are mounted on the axis 320 between the driving wheels 300 and the supporting frames 210 and 220. Unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, however, axis 320 of the wheel assembly does not move vertically. Each of the brake discs 700 has a stopper 800 on its outside surface facing the supporting frame 210 and 220. The stoppers 800 serve to prevent the rotation of the brake discs 700. 

1. A safety lighter comprising a gas container topped by a carriage, an outlet valve, a pressing lever for gas release, a wheel assembly with an axis holding a striker wheel contacting a spring-supported spark flint, and a supporting frame with a pair of mounting slots attached upwardly to said carriage; the striker wheel is fixedly disposed between two driving wheels; each of the driving wheels has a diameter larger than that of a striker wheel; a pair of brake discs is mounted on the axis between the insides of the supporting frames and the outsides of the driving wheels; the axis is loosely mounted on the mounting slots of the supporting frame, and is allowed to move pivotally and vertically; a pair of brake devices is placed beneath the brake discs, or between the brake discs and the supporting frames; the brake devices interrupt or stop the rotation of the brake discs when they contact each other; and each brake discs has the same diameter as that of the driving wheels, and can rotate freely relative to the driving wheels.
 2. A safety lighter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake device comprising a pair of extension portions of the pressing lever, placed beneath the brake discs.
 3. A safety lighter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the brake discs has a smooth rim surface.
 4. A safety lighter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting slots of the supporting frame have a first position and a second position.
 5. A safety lighter comprising a gas container topped by a carriage, an outlet valve, a pressing lever for gas release, a wheel assembly with an axis that holds a striker wheel contacting a spring-supported spark flint, and a supporting frame with a pair of mounting slots attached upwardly to the carriage; the striker wheel is fixedly disposed between two driving wheels; each of the driving wheels has a diameter larger than that of the striker wheel; a pair of brake discs is mounted on the axis between the insides of the supporting frames and the outsides of the driving wheels; the axis is pivotally mounted on the mounting slots of the supporting frame; a pair of brake device is placed to interrupt or stop rotation of the brake discs; each of the brake discs has the same diameter as that of the driving wheels, and has a smooth rim surface; and each of the brake discs can rotate freely relative to the driving wheels.
 6. A safety lighter, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brake device comprising a pair of stoppers built outside the brake discs; and the brake devices face the supporting frames and stop the rotation of the brake discs.
 7. A safety lighter, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brake device comprising a pair of stoppers built between the insides of the said supporting frames and the outsides of the said brake discs; the brake devices interrupt or stop the rotation of the brake discs. 